#3 Dublin, Ireland
The infamous city of Dublin was our first adventure after the big move to Cambridge. Dublin is full of history, beauty, and booze. It was everything we needed it to be for a weekend getaway. Before I dive into all its goodness, have you ever wondered where “The luck of the Irish” originated from? Who would have thought that the saying didn’t originate in Ireland!
Edward T. O’Donnell, an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College and author of 1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History, outlines one of the most likely accounts that trace the root of this classic saying. In his writings, O’Donnell outlines the meaning of “the luck of the Irish.” He writes:
“During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish-American birth. “Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression ‘luck of the Irish.’ Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of derision, as if to say, only by sheer luck, as opposed to brains, could these fools succeed.”
After that brief history lesson on Ireland, let’s dive into some of the beauties we found while we were there. On all of our adventures, we love to take advantage of public transportation; we feel like there is so much missed when you are driving yourself around! The DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit), a coastal train line, was the best way for us to experience everything. We ventured from Malahide to Bray and stopped along the way. Here are some of the stops we enjoyed most.
Our first stop was Malahide, where we visited the beautiful 12th century Malahide Castle and Gardens. It was a fortress and a home for nearly 800 years. A beautiful castle steeped in history with lovely mature gardens. The grounds were beautiful to witness and walk through as everything was so well maintained, and the butterfly garden was a hidden gem! As a bonus, we learned the background meaning of “saving face” and “getting plastered,” during our guided tour of the castle. After reading this post, leave a comment on how you think these phrases originated.
Our next stop was Howth. A small fishing village about 30 minutes outside of Dublin. Walking to the end of the pier gives you picturesque views of the village of Howth as well as the dramatic coastline along the cliffs of Howth Head. We didn’t have enough time to explore the Howth Cliff Walk but that is definitely on our to-do list for next time.
Blackrock and Killeny were the next quick stops. We stopped in Blackrock to visit the market and Killeny to play around at the beach. Although the weather wasn’t great, the rainbows were endless which made the experience worthwhile. Blackrock market had great camaraderie between the various different shopkeepers and the diversity of shops kept us engaged, wanting to explore more. Yet our favorite discovery in the market was a fascinating little hidden bookstore that we ended up spending a lot of our time in.
And our last but not least favorite stop was Connolly Station. This stop is the busiest station in Dublin because it can connect you to almost any place you want to go in the city. Below are the favorite places we explored around the city center of Dublin.
The Ha’penny Bridge is famously known as the first pedestrian bridge to span over the river Liffey. Its name was derived from the price pedestrians had to pay (a “halfpenny”) to cross the bridge back when it was built in 1816.
The World Famous Jameson Distillery is tucked away down Bow St and is the original site where whiskey was distilled until 1971. The tour of the old distillery taught us the history and process of creating the refined whiskey, along with the unique opportunity to take part in a comparative whiskey-tasting experience. Our guide was full of energy and made the experience very entertaining.
Kilmainham Gaol is an abandoned prison that offers guided tours of its restored quarters. Dating from 1796, the prison was a dank vile institution that housed those guilty of such misdemeanours as being unable to pay their train fares and, during the famine, the destitute and hungry. Although, it is most infamous for housing those who spoke out against the government during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921). In Irish eyes, Kilmainham became an irrevocable symbol of oppression and persecution.
The Temple Bar area is a maze of narrow streets full of pubs and live music. The Templar Bar pub is in one of the oldest areas in Dublin; it's a great location because it's in the heart of the city. The famous red exterior stands out and it’s always always packed, like any good pub is, but the live music and atmosphere was worth it.
The Trinity College Library is the largest library in all of Ireland. It is also home to the famous Book of Kells – a beautifully-illuminated manuscript containing all of the four Gospels of the New Testament that’s over 1000 years old. Although we didn’t go in to look at the Book of Kells, the grounds were beautiful and were definitely worth exploring.
Finally, Guinness was a must, because how can you visit Dublin and not venture to the Guinness Brewery? Our favorite part was The Gravity Bar, it is Ireland's highest bar that has panoramic views of Dublin. With the freshest Guinness you’ll find on tap, it’s an awesome experience that you’ll have to try. All of the credit is due to Arthur Guinness who inherited 100 pounds and started his first venture of brewing. How would have you invested 100 pounds in 1752?
What places in Dublin do you love? What places do you want to explore? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Reset. Adventure on.
Local Recipe: Vegan Irish Stew, check out it on Instagram @Adventurous.Herbivores
